Day of action benefits United Way offices

United Way of St. Johns County is about to get spiffed up thanks in part to contributions from the Home Depot and specifically the efforts of Team Depot.

As part of the United Way Day of Action Saturday, volunteers will join together to paint, repair, replace and revitalize the United Way offices.

Part of an international effort by United Way Worldwide, communities around the world will harness the volunteer spirit and improve the conditions in which they live. Now in its sixth year, nearly 307,000 individuals have committed to participate in the 2014 event.

Typically, United Way sends volunteers out to assist others during the Annual Day of Action, but it has been 20 years since the United Way has focused any major efforts on its own facilities. The last time, in April 1995, a group of volunteers and many donors, corporate and individual, rehabbed the local building. Since then, little more has been done than minor repairs.

For the 2014 efforts, members of the board of directors, staff and high school interns will join forces with representatives of Habitat for Humanity and Team Depot.

“I am not so good with a hammer,” said United Way Executive Director Melissa Nelson, “but I wield a mean paint brush. A fresh coat of paint does an amazing thing for one room, and when you can do a whole building in a day, that is beyond amazing.“

Team Depot is under the leadership of team captain Jay Hays. The group is experienced in these types of projects, typically completing at least one in the greater St. Augustine community every month. The workers donate their time, professional abilities and the supplies needed. Frequently, they call in assistance from their suppliers. For example, Behr paint will be used on the interior of the building.

“I like to keep us busy,” Hays said. “We just finished putting in a new floor at the St. Francis House and completed a Drop-in-Center that included showers and a laundry at Home Again St. Johns. There is a great amount of need, and we like to be part of the solution.”